MANILA, Philippines – Division of Nationwide Protection Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. on Tuesday tagged as unfounded issues that Enhanced Protection Cooperation Settlement (EDCA) websites across the nation are potential targets for Iran’s retaliatory assaults as a result of Philippines being a army ally of the USA.
“No. That’s unfounded as a result of we can’t examine the state of affairs within the Center East right here within the Philippines. Our bilateral and multilateral alliances are for defensive functions and deterrent functions solely,” Teodoro mentioned in Filipino in an interview with Malacañang reporters.
America and Israel launched airstrikes in opposition to Iran on Feb. 28, which triggered Tehran to strike again and assault American bases throughout the Center East, together with Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
Within the Philippines, there are 9 EDCA websites: the Cesar Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga; Fort Magsaysay Army Reservation in Nueva Ecija; Lumbia Airport in Cagayan de Oro; Antonio Bautista Air Base in Puerto Princesa, Palawan; Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu; Naval Base Camilo Osias in Santa Ana, Cagayan; Lal-lo Airport in Lal-lo, Cagayan; Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela; and Balabac Island in Palawan.
Teodoro echoed earlier statements from the DND and the Armed Forces of the Philippines that the army installations should not US-controlled bases and stay underneath the complete possession, management and administration of the Philippine army.
“These issues, I’ll repeat, are baseless. Proper now, I’ll repeat what the Armed Forces mentioned: There is no such thing as a direct menace to the safety of the Republic of the Philippines within the army sense of what’s occurring within the Center East proper now,” he mentioned.